Ellmers, Gustav

Date of birth:: April 4th, 1913 (Uetersen/Schleswick-Holstein, Germany)
Date of death:: February 12th, 1999 (Ellerau/Schleswick-Holstein, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Gustav Ellmers finally reached the rank of Hauptmann.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: Chef 2. / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 14 / 5. Panzer-Division
Awarded on:: February 28th, 1945

On the 20.01.1945 the armoured group of the 5. Panzer-Division was ordered to occupy a blocking position near Aulenbach. Oberleutnant Ellmers and a mixed Kompanie were ordered to march to and occupy Aulenbach itself. He and his men became locked in heavy combat with the Soviets over control the village, but were ultimately able to hold it until past midnight. 6-8 Soviet tanks were destroyed in the process. By this action the Soviet thrust towards the west was checked, and Ellmers would be awarded the Knight’s Cross in recognition of this success.